Summary and Reviews of Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson

Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson

Started Early, Took My Dog

A Novel

by Kate Atkinson
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  • Critics' Consensus (8):
  • Readers' Rating (1):
  • First Published:
  • Mar 21, 2011, 384 pages
  • Paperback:
  • Oct 2011, 400 pages
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About This Book

Book Summary

Tracy, a retired police detective, rescues a small child; Jackson Brodie, a detective, rescues an abused dog. Dog in tow, Jackson is about to learn, along with Tracy, that no good deed goes unpunished.

Tracy Waterhouse leads a quiet, ordered life as a retired police detective - a life that takes a surprising turn when she encounters Kelly Cross, a habitual offender, dragging a young child through town. Both appear miserable and better off without each other - or so decides Tracy, in a snap decision that surprises herself as much as Kelly. Suddenly burdened with a small child, Tracy soon learns her parental inexperience is actually the least of her problems, as much larger ones loom for her and her young charge.

Meanwhile, Jackson Brodie, the beloved detective of novels such as Case Histories, is embarking on a different sort of rescue - that of an abused dog. Dog in tow, Jackson is about to learn, along with Tracy, that no good deed goes unpunished.

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Reviews

BookBrowse Review

BookBrowse

The prolific Kate Atkinson once again shows herself to be a master at crafting literary mystery with Started Early, Took My Dog. Unlike many mysteries, where the action is plot-driven (characters conveniently appear to carry things along), Kate Atkinson uses murder and mayhem to flesh out her characters and the dastardly crimes that define who they are and what they're capable of...continued

Full Review (699 words)

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(Reviewed by BJ Nathan Hegedus).

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Beyond the Book



Decoding British Phrases

Does trying to decipher the meaning of British phrases make you raving bonkers? UK Flag Confused over all those acronyms used to identify British police officers? Do you find yourself reading and rereading certain sentences asking: What the heck does this mean? How is it that trainers don't seem to mind being tossed into a boot, and how do they fit in it anyway? Read on.

Police terms:

  • nicked: stolen
  • PC: Police Constable
  • WPC: Woman Police Constable
  • DC: Detective Constable
  • DS: Detective Sergeant
  • DI: Detective Inspector
  • DCI: Detective Chief Inspector
  • D Supt: Detective Superintendent
  • Guv: used to show deference when referring to one's superior whose rank is of inspector or greater, regardless of sex

Food:

  • chips: French fries
  • ...

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Read-Alikes

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No pleasure is worth giving up for the sake of two more years in a geriatric home.

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